Casting machine



' Nov. 1, 1938. 1 A. c. YERKEY 7 2,135,245

3 v CASTING MACHINE v Filed April 50, 1937 Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to a casting machine, and

' more particularly to a machine in which individual moulds are poured automatically. The machine is especially useful in casting grids for storage batteries, but may be used for other purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for pouring molten metal into moulds as they are delivered on a carrier. A further object is to provide mechanism for pouring the molten metal in which a predetermined amount of molten metal is automatically discharged into each of the moulds presented by the machine, and in which the amount of metal discharged maybe changed. A more specific object is to provide cam means by which the movement of the carrier is utilized for timing the discharge of molten metal into the moulds. Other specific objects will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in whicha Figure 1 is'a broken view in elevation showing the parts of the casting machine with which my invention is concerned: Fig. 2, a broken plan view showing an edge portion of the rotary carrier; and Fig. 3, a detail view showing the pouring bucket, as seen from line 3 of Fig. 1.

A designates a frame carrying the pouring bucket; B, the means for supplying the bucket with molten metal; C, the rotary carrier and moulds carried thereon; and D, bucketactuating mechanism controlling the dischargeof metal from the pouring bucket.

The frame A may be of any suitable construction. As here shown, it comprises a base ID to which is secured a standard having attached the laterally extending frame piece l2. At its extreme outer end piece I2 is equipped with jaws l3 between which is mounted the pouring bucket l4. Bucket I4 is here shown as rectangular in shape having its top side open and its bottom equipped with a transverse slot I4 through which the molten metal may be poured. A pivot pin I5 is attached transversely to the bottom of bucket l4 and hrs its ends received in Jaws l3.

The frame piece |2 carries also the pivotally mounted member 8 which is a part of the bucket actuating mechanism D. This member has a rearwardly extending arm I! which is urged downwardly by a spring l8 attached at its one end totheextreme end of the arm and at its other end to frame piece l2. Spring I8 normally maintains arm I! in extreme downward position in which its end rests on frame piece l2. Member Hi has the forward arm I9 which has the spaced apertures 20 near its end. A link 2| extends through one of apertures 20 and is pivotally attached to the forward end of bucket I4. This link may be connected in either of apertures 2|], 5 and it will be observed that when the link engages, an aperture nearer the end of arm l9, movement of member l6 about its pivot will cause the bucket to be moved through greater amplitude since the aperture nearer the end is farther dis- 10 tant from the pivot point of the member. With member IS in normal position, i. e., with arm I! held in extreme downward position by spring I8, the bucket I4 is held in an inclined'position and will hold a quantity of molten metal in its rearv15 ward end.

The means B for supplying molten metal includes a pipe 2| having at its end a faucet or nozzle 22 directly over bucket M. The other end of pipe 2| connects with a pump 22 driven by 20 shaft 23 and adapted to draw molten metal from pct 24 and force it through pipe 2| to the bucket H. A suflicient amount of metal is pumped through pipe'2l to fill the bucket between pour,- ings and also to guard against cooling of the 25 metal before it is poured. When the bucket becomes full, the additional metal delivered into it will spill over the rear end of the bucket into a spill-chamber 25 provided by frame piece l2 and from there will be conducted by pipe 26 back 30 to pot 24.

The rotary carrier C is-generally of very well known construction and will not be described in detail. Only a portion of one side of this carrier has been shown in the drawing but this is 35 sufncient to illustrate its application in this invention. Such rotary carriers have radial arms 21 each of which may carry an individual mould 28, each of moulds 28 being equidistant from the center of rotation of the'carrier. this carrier bringsthe moulds 28, one by one, under the bucket I 4 to be filled with molten metal.

In the carrier shown, each of arms 21 has at its extreme end an upwardly extending front piece 29 which is equipped with a top fiange 30. To 45 each of these flanges is secured a cam piece 3| as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Cam pieces 3| are generally triangular in form with a rounded high point 34 and are provided with slots 32 in their bases. Screws 82 extending within slots 32 50 and into flanges, 30 secure the cams to the mould carrier. The high points 34 should be aligned As more clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, the piv- 56 When rotated, 40

' operated pump 22 60 paratus.

Q It will be seen cally described here.

oted member ll has also a downwardly extending arm it which isequipped with collar 31 which is adjustably secured by means of a set screw 38. Collar 31 is adapted to engage cams it as the mould carrier is rotated, so that the action of cams ii is to push arm 36 rearwardly and thereby tip the bucket into pouring position. The drawi g shows the relative positions of the parts after a cam has operated to move arm 36 rearwardly.

In theoperation of. my improved casting machine, the bucket I4 is filled with molten metal from pipe 2i, the bucket being held in normal inclined position for receiving the metal through the action of the spring pressed pivoted member it. when the bucket becomes full it will overflow over the rear end wall and will be carried by pipe 26 back to the source in pot 24. The power operates to force the metal through this circuit.

At the same time, mould carrier C is rotating as indicated by arrow 89 in Fig. 2 to bring the empty moulds under the bucket one at a time. When the carrier has so rotated as to bring one of the moulds into position so that the sprue opening 35 is directly under the outlet slot il' in bucket. ll, the cam ll engages collar 31 of arm 38, and further movement of the carrier and means for moving said bucket about its pivot causes this arm to be moved rearwardly and member is to be moved about its pivot against the tension in spring is to bring arm it downwardly. This operates to tilt bucket ll about its pivoted support and allow .the molten metal to flow: out through slot ll into the sprue opening of the rnould. When the high point 3! of the cam has passed collar 31, spring i8 operates to return pivoted member i8 and bucket N to their original or normal position ready to be filled again. when the next arm 21 ofthe carrier is brought forward and the next mould is brought under the bucket, another to effect tilting of the bucket as before explained. After each of the'moulds hasbeen filled by this method and has passed to the opposite side of the carrier, the moulds are pulled apart, the castings ejected and the moulds again prepared to be filled with molten metal. The methods and means for ejecting the castings and preparing .the moulds are well known and will not be specifi- A part of the mechanism for manipulating the moulds is designated by the numeral 40.

The embodiment herein described is designed particularly for use in casting the grids used in storage batteries, and in such use the metal used is lead, and this may be heated to a. molten state in any suitable way. However, other castings of. different kinds of metals may be made in the same way and by using the same type of ap- 7 that if the cams are uniformly attached the amount of metal delivered to each of the moulds will be the same. But if it is desired to deliver a greater amount of metal to the moulds on one or more of the carrier arms, this may beaccomplished by adjusting the position of the cams so that the cams will eitfend farther out "on the arms to which more metal is to be delivered. By loosening'screws 33 on one of the arms and moving this cam 3i outward radially of. the carrier, the screws moving within slots .22, more metal will be delivered tothe mould on this arm.

be discharged into be made If more-metal is required to all of the moulds, this adjustment may rier having a plurality of moulds of cams 3i operates distances from its center of rotation,

' to the number .higher or lower position with respect to the frame and bucket, it being required only that the mould be moved directly under the pouring bucket.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of. understanding only, and

no unnecessary limitations-should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

of the character set forth bucket pivotally for delivering said mould under said bucket,

to pour molten metal into the mould as the mould is brought under the bucket.

2. A casting machine of the character set forth comprising: a frame, a pouring bucket pivotally mounted on said frame and normally held in position to contain molten metal, axsource' of molten metal, means for said source into said bucket, a spillway for catching overflow metal from said bucket and delivering it back to said source, a rotary mould carlocated at equal said carrier being adapted to move said moulds under said bucket, and cam means actuated by sald carrier for moving said bucket about its pivot to pour molten metal into each of said moulds as it is passed under the bucket.

a spillway for least one mould thereon and 3. A casting machine of the character set forth equal distances from its center of rotation, said carrier being arranged to move said moulds under said bucket as it rotates, means pivotally mounted on said frame for moving said bucket to poura plurality of cams equal in number of moulds, said cams being carried said cams being ing position,

by said carrier and each of said bucket and adapted to actuate said means when the correspending mould is brought under said bucket.

4.1 A casting machine of the character set forth comprising: a frame, a pouring bucket pivotally mounted on said frame, pipe means for sup.-

plying-said bucket with molten metal, a spillway for catching overflow metal from said bucket and delivering it back to its source, a mould carrier carrying a plurality of moulds thereon, said carrier being arranged to pass said moulds under said bucket, a pivoted member mounted on said "frame having an arm connected with said bucket and movable to bring said bucket into pouring position, and individual cam means cooperatins delivering molten metal from under said bucket.

with each of said moulds adapted to move said on as said carrier passes each of said moulds 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which said pivoted member is connected to said bucket by means of a link, said link being attachable to said member at points of unequal distance to its point of pivot.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and including a spring holding said pivoted member normally in position to allow filling, of said bucket with molten metal, but permitting said member to move into position for pouring from said bucket when engaged by said cams.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and in which the position of at least one of said cams is adjustable so that said cam. is effective for moving said member in'diflerent amplitudes.

8. A casting machine of the character set forth comprising: a frame, a pouring bucket pivotally mounted on said frame, a source oi. molten metal, means for delivering molten metal from said source into said bucket, a spillway for catching overflow metal from said bucket and delivering it back to said source, a rotary mould carrier carrying a plurality of moulds at equal distances from its center of rotation, said carrier being adapted to move said moulds under said bucket,

,flow metal to its source;

a pivoted member mounted on said frame and having one arm connected to said bucket. by a link, said member having another arm extending downwardly, a spring for holding said member normally in such position that said bucket will contain molten metal, and cams carried by said mould carrier, said cams being adapted to engage said downwardly extending arm to move said member into such position that said bucket will pour out molten metal, said cams being so positioned as to effect said movement when each oi said moulds is brought under said bucket. v

9. A casting machine of the character set forth comprising: a frame; a pouring bucket pivotally mounted on said fram pipe means adapted to deliver molten metal substantially continuously to said bucket, whereby said metal may overflow the bucket; a spillway for catching overflow of metal from said bucket and returning said overa mould carrier having mounted thereon a plurality of moulds, said carrier being adapted to move said moulds successively under said bucket; and means actuated by said carrier adapted to bring said bucket into pouring position as each of said moulds is carried under the bucket.

ALVY C. YERKEY. 

